A 50-year-old from Suffolk who took up cycling to get fit after a heart attack has just cycled from Lands End to John o’Groats.
Mark Cornish, from Witnesham, took on the challenge at the end of July and cycled 879 miles in four and a half days.
The event was organised by AUDAX UK – an international organisation who oversee long distance rides worldwide that have to be completed in a predetermined time-period. This one had to be finished in 116 hours.
90 competitors took part in this event and Mr Cornish was one of 56 people to finish the epic ride in in 108 hours and 15 minutes.
During the journey, the Suffolk New College maths teacher passed a wildcat, was chased along the road by a mountain hare, and he overcame heat exhaustion, high temperatures and numb fingers.
He also ate 300 jelly babies to help him complete his mission.
Although Mr Cornish didn’t do this for charity, he will be donating some money to the British Heart Foundation and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
Mr Cornish had a heart attack in Alexandra Park on his way to work in 2018 – but thanks to the swift actions of paramedics and a Suffolk New College colleague called Nell Burnett – he has made a full recovery.
He took up cycling to aid his rehabilitation and hopes to encourage and inspire others who are overcoming illnesses.
Mr Cornish said: “You’re not made of glass and overcoming a near death experience can change your outlook in a positive way. I don’t take things for granted and I feel like I have been given a second chance.”
In terms of taking on the challenge he said: “The route (Land’s End to John o’Groats) is quite iconic. I knew it was going to be hard – but you just think about the challenge, one hour at a time.
“I saw the best of humanity when we got stuck and a lady called Debbie allowed us to stay at her glamping site for free. She also gave us dinner, a few beers and breakfast.
“In terms of the worst of humanity we had people shouting at us or others didn’t give us much room on the roads.
“You feel like you’ve been through life in four and a half days – you go through every emotion – things go wrong – you get massive highs – it’s so intense.
“When I finished, I got emotional and had a little tear. I thought I’d phone my wife – but she was out unfortunately.”
Previously, Mr Cornish has taken part in several other challenges (they are challenges, not races) including the Paris-Brest-Paris ride – a 1200km course that he completed in 75 hours – ‘where people line the streets like they do in Tour de France’.
But his long-term plans are uncertain as he has to have a foot operation in October.
Mr Cornish continued: “Touch wood – my heart health is good – but the irony is I’ve grown an extra bone in my foot that I shouldn’t have, by doing these challenges. It affects my main tendon in the foot – it can be agony – so I’ve got to have an operation. It will be hard not to be able to cycle. It’s been a big part of my life. I currently cycle around 200km every week. Hopefully I can make a full recovery.”
Head of marketing at Suffolk New College, Craig Shimmon, said: “We are lucky to have a number of amazing staff at the College including the former ‘World’s Strongest Woman’ (Andrea Thompson) and of course our very own tour de force cyclist, Mark Cornish. His achievements continue to inspire people both inside and outside of the college.”